53. "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me" When did Musa (AS) invoked this dua?

بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِٱلرَّحِيمِ

Answer: While helping a man of his own party who was fighting with his foe, Musa (AS) killed that foe accidently. Realizing that it was the Shaithan's work he invoked this dua.

Growing in the palace of Firaun, Musa (AS) attained full strength with perfect manhood. Allahu Subhana huthala rewarded him for his good deeds the right judgement of the affairs and the religious knowledge (28:14). The weak and oppressed turned to him for protection and justice.

One day he went to city when there were no other people except the two men fighting. His own party, that is, Israelite, was beaten by their foe, that is, the Egyptian. Israelite seeing Musa (AS) called for help. Musa (AS) went to them struck the Egyptian with his fist. With that blow the man died on the spot. Realizing that he has killed him he said: "This is Shaithan's work. Verily he is a plain misleading enemy" (28:15).

He called upon His Lord for his mistake and said: "I have wronged myself so forgive me." The Oft- Forgiving and Most Merciful Allah forgave him. He also said: "My Lord! For that with which You have favoured me, I will never more be a helper of the criminals" (28:16 &17).

In the city Miser (the recent Egypt) the penalty for killing is death. So he was afraid. The next day when he went to the city more cautiously, the same Israelite who sought help the day before, was involved in another fight. He called for help. Musa (AS) said to him: "Verily you are a plain misleader!" Then when he decided to seize the man who was an enemy to both of them, the man said: "O Musa! Is it your intention to kill me and you killed a man yesterday? Your aim is nothing but to become a tyrant in the land, and not to be one of those who do right." (28:18 & 19).

At that time from the farthest end of city, a man came running towards Musa. He said to him: "O Musa! Verily, the chiefs are taking counsel together about you, to kill you, so escape. Verily, I am one of the good advisers to you." (28:20)

So Musa (AS) escaped from there, looking about in a state of fear, invoking Allah to save him from the wrong doing people. Without any preparation for travel Musa (AS) went to Madyan where he lived as a shepherd for few years until there is a call from Allah for prophet hood. Even though he was brought up in the palace it was Allah's Will for him to be a shepherd, like other Prophets, to face hardship of Prophet hood.

Allah has repeatedly reminding us in Quran to ask forgiveness and being grateful for His favours and glorify Him. May Allah Subhanahuthala forgive us and make us grateful to Him and glorify Him. Ameen!

الحمدلله